Pratt Library Cuts Ribbon on Pratt Free Market

Free Grocery Store Opens in Southeast Anchor Library

September 25, 2024

BALTIMORE— The Enoch Pratt Free Library cut the ribbon on the new Pratt Free Market today. The free grocery store is located inside the Southeast Anchor Library in the Highlandtown neighborhood. The Pratt Free Market will be stocked with produce, dry goods, paper goods, and more available for free to those in the community who need it. It will officially open to the public this Saturday during a community family day.

“Across the nation, 1 in every 8 people face hunger, and libraries are increasingly on the front lines assisting in this struggle,” says Darcell Graham, Interim CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. “We hope the Pratt Free Market will serve as a hub for food and nutrition-based programming for our community.”

The Pratt Free Market is 90% volunteer-based, utilizing volunteers from both the Pratt Library and the Baltimore community. The Pratt Free Market is a Maryland Food Bank Distribution Partner. “Too many people in Baltimore and across Maryland are struggling with food insecurity," said Carmen Del Guercio, president and CEO of the Maryland Food Bank. "We are excited that this new partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library will increase access to fresh produce and other needed products for our neighbors.”

The Pratt Free Market will be open every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm, and Fridays from 2pm to 5pm. Each customer will be allowed to fill one library-supplied bag per day. On the 4th Friday of every month, the Pratt Free Market will serve as a Pantry on the Go! location in partnership with the Maryland Food Bank, giving away free produce in a farmers’ market-style setup outside the library while supplies last.

The Pratt Free Market will also receive food from accredited partners including Plantation Park Heights, Leftover Love, Benbow Concession Services, Moon Valley Farms, and Black Butterfly Farms. The Market will officially open to the public on Saturday, September 28th at 10am with a family day celebration that will include music, face painting, cooking demonstrations and more.

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is one of the nation’s first free library systems, opening its doors in 1886 thanks to the generosity of businessman Enoch Pratt. Today’s Pratt Library—Baltimore’s public library and the Maryland State Library Resource Center—consists of the Central Library, 21 neighborhood locations, and three mobile units. The Library’s mission is to empower, enrich, and enhance the quality of life for all through equitable access to information, services, and opportunity.